Ash tray and receptacle



1952 R. w. NICKERSON ASH TRAY AND RECEPTACLE Filed ApI il 12, 1946 INVENTOR RICHARD W. NICKERSON BY Attorney Patented Jan. 22, 1952 ASH TRAY AND RECEPTACLE Richard W. Nickerson, Eagle Rock, Calif., as-

signor of one-fifth to Robert W. Maxwell, Los

Angeles, Calif.

Application April 12, 1946, Serial No. 661,538

4 Claims. (01. 220--20.5)

This invention relates to smokers ash trays and it is a general object of the invention to provide a practical, inexpensive ash tray and receptacle in which cigarette and cigar butts, ashes and pipe embers may be deposited with the assurance that they will quickly become extinguished.

Smokers ash trays and stands have been introduced embodying a lower container or well for receiving the ashes and cigar and cigarette butts and having a hinged door for controlling the entrance to the well. The closures or doors of these prior devices are usually urged to the closed positions by springs and the mechanisms for operating them against the spring action include levers, links, operating buttons, etc. Accordingly, prior ash trays of this class have been rather costly in that they require the fabrication and assembling of a number of individual parts.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a smoker's ash tray and receptacle of the general class above referred to which may be constructed of a single blank or piece of sheet metal stock, or the like. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a single continuous section of the sheet metal, or the like, is formed so as to constitute the well or receptacle and closure means for the same, the closure means normally occupying a closed position by reason of the inherent resiliency of the material and being readily moved or flexed to an open position by finger pressure to admit the cigar and cigarette butts, etc. into the receptacle. The closure means automatically returns to the closed position when the finger pressure is relieved, and when in the closed condition constitutes or carries an external tray or container means for temporarily receiving the ashes and forsupporting lighted cigarettes, cigars and pipes. The device does not require or include the hinges, levers, springs, operating buttons or like parts heretofore embodied in this type of device and therefore is less expensive to manufacture. The invention contemplates the provision of either a single tray-forming closure for the lower receptacle or a pair of cooperating closures. However, in both instances the closure means is a simple integral continuation of the sheet stock from which the device is fabricated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ash tray and receptacle device of the character mentioned wherein the well or lower receptacle is effectively sealed and is substantially airtight when the closure means is in the normal condition. so that lighted cigar and cigarette buttsand other glowing or burning material introduced therein is extinguished by reason of insufficient oxygen to support continued combustion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character referred to in which the closure means remains in the closed position to prevent the escape of burning or glowing material in the event the device is inverted or falls to the floor. The closure means remains closed at all times to substantially seal the well or main receptacle except when deliberately opened for the purpose of introducing material into the receptacle or for emptying the same.

Other features and advantages of the inven-- tion will become apparent from the following detailed description, throughout which reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle and tray device of the invention embodying a pair of cooperating closures;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the manner in which the receptacle may be opened;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a device of the invention embodying a single closure;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, illustrating still another form of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 6.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show the invention embodied in'an ash tray and receptacle characterized by a pair of cooperating closure parts. In this form of the invention a single integralblank or sheet of material constitutes the entire device and all of its parts. The device may be constructed of any selected or appropriate flexible, resilient and non-inflammable sheet material such as steel, stainless steel, copper, bronze, etc. and the material may be plated, polished or otherwise finished as desired. As illustrated in Fig. l, the device is an elongate structure of generally rectangular outline or shape, it being understood that the proportions and configuration may be materially varied.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the device has a substantially horizontal bottom wall II] which terminates at its opposite ends in up turned or substantially vertical end walls II. If desired, the bottom wall in may have spaced ridges or dimples I 2 projecting from its lower surface to act as feet or supports for holding the J major portion of the bottom wall spaced from the surface of the table or object on which the device is placed. The end walls II are integrally connected or joined with the bottom It at normal or right-angled corner and the two spaced end walls are flat and in substantially parallel relation to one.another.. I have shown .the end walls II. as rectangular parts having straight vertical side edges and horizontal upper and lower margins, it being apparent that these walls may be given other configurations. In the form of the invention being described the end walls I I are provided with means for holding or carrying lighted cigars, cigarettes, etc. Outturnsd hori zontal flanges or lips I3 extend along the upper edges of the walls I I and are provided with troughs 0r grooves I4 for receiving the cigars and cigarettes.

ceptacle -I5'and of a tray portion ISfo'rtemporarily'receiving theashes andfor carrying lighted cigarettes and cigars.-

The well or receptacle IS referred toabove is definedbyith'e bottom wall 'ID, the end walls II and two side walls I'I- The walls I! are integral 1 with the bottom I iiand,- as will later become 'ap-' parent, carry "closures for the -receptacle I5. Referring to Fig.'2,"it will be seen that the side walls I! curve outwardly andupwardly' from the horizontalbottom'wall I0 and then curve upwardlyj'and inwardly ,or toward'one another to rather abrupt'or' short-radius curves or bends I8.

Whilethe' bowed or"curved side walls II are integral with the bottom wall It which in turn is integral with the end walls I I; the side walls I! are otherwise independent of the end -walls and are capable of fiexure and-movement with respect to the end walls. The ende'dges or margins I 9 of .the. walls I 'I are straight and -prefer ablyflat, toliein'contact with orin immediately adjacent parallel relation to" the inner "surfaces of the end Wa1ls..l I. Accordingly, upon fl'xure and movement of.th'e side walls- I1" the'edges' I9 wipe along ,the surfaces of thelwa'lls II,"orat least move in close proximity to'these surfaces. The rbowed or curried. shape of the walls" 11. is

such that vthe walls are capableof. distributed flexure- .upon b-eingrforcibly'spread apartfand' this'configuration coupled with the resiliency. ,of the sheet stock normally'holds'the walls'iin the position shown in Fig. 2 and returns them to this position when the. spreading pressure is relieved. The distributed fle'xure. orv bendingreduces to; a

minimum. the fatiguing of the. metal, so,. that there is littlelpossibility ofv ultimate fracture. of th.walls';as a result..of.loi1g.-. continued usage. It

willlbe seen from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2 thatthe wellor receptacle .55 is normally completely closedand substantially sealed so that lighted cigarettes and cigarsintroduced therein will.soon.consume the oxygen in .the closed space and.'be'come extinguished... The rather abrupt curves...or .bendsl..|8. .are. in direct opposition to one another and cooperate to closetheupper...

end. of..- the. receptacle I5. when .the parts .are in theiridle ornormal positions-.-

-The. trayportion I6 of the device. is defined by theiuppenpartsof the endwalls I I- and skirts onaprons 20: onathe sidev walls IT.

IT, 'beingzformed to slope upwardly. and laterally.

The aprons Neareintegrahcontinuationsv ofthe side walls.

4 from the bends I8. In this connection it will be observed that the upper parts of the side walls I1, the bends I8 and aprons 20 form the closure means for the receptacle I5, being intgerally joined flexible portions which normally extend across the top of the receptacle. It is preferred to give the inner portionsotthe. aprons 2G a substantial pitch or inclination to leave a rather deep trough or tray for the ashes and to assure the free passage of the ashes and cigarette butts into the receptacle when the same is opened. Thezouter portions of the aprons 20 are arranged at a lesser angle to the horizontal so that cigars and cigarettes maybe placed on them in positions where thelighted ends are clear and above the deep part of the tray. Downwardly and rearwardly turned finish beads 2I extend along the outer edgesof the aprons 23.

The fiat outer portionsof the aprons 20 present upper surfaces that may be conveniently engaged or pressedupon by the fingers to flex or" spread the walls I'I to'the open position shown in Fig. ;3

wherethe closure bends I8'are spacedapart-to leave a free opening into the well or receptacle I51 In this connection'it will be observed that; the upper-portions of the walls I! and their bends" I8 constitute spring closures for the receptacle,"

the bends normally being in'pressureengagement with one another to'close the receptacle; 1 The chamber or receptacle I5 may -be easily";

opened by merely pressing downwardly on the aprons 20, as illustrated in Fig; 3, to admit ashes and cigar and cigarettebutts and topermit the emptying of the device; This'may be accomplished by two'fin'gers of one hand or by the fin. gers ofboth hands,.as desired. Upon removing the downward finger pressure'from the aprons' 28" the walls. I! flex back to the positions where the bends. I8 are again in contact with one anotherto close the chamber or receptacle I5.

In Figs..4 and '5 I have illustrated a form of the invention characterized by a single movable.

and flexible closure. In this particular structure. there are two members orsections .A and B .2 of suitable sheetstock such as steel, stainless steel,

bronzeor copper shaped and assembled to define.

a normally closed well or receptacle 23 and an...

open containeror tray v24. The section or.mem.

ber A is a substantially U-shaped .part havinga horizontal lowerwall .25' and. substantially ,ver.-..

tical end. walls 26 rising. from. the. opposite ex..-

tremities of. the wall- 25. Thelower wall 25..may=, have spaced depressed dimplesforming supportr,

Inturned .flanges. 2&are providedw. along therear edges oftheside walls.26. It is.

ing feet 27..

preferred to terminate .thefiangesZB. a shortdis:

tance above -thenlower'. extremities of the;.side.. walls .26.: Thespaced walls. are parallel. or. at. least present flat. parallel.jopposingninnernsurv.-

faces...v

The..member or section B fits within -the-U- the abovementioned flanges 28.

cigars and cigarettes. The section -B further in,-

cludesa substantially horizontal bottomnwall 3% extending forwardly .from the wall 29...- The wall...

3I- is integrally: joined with the-walli29 'alonga substantially right-angle bend having a suit-'- ableradius and extends -.forwardly between the. Jo end. walls. 28 in .engagementwith orinsubstam absence ti'ally parallel relation to the lower' wall 25, of the section A, I have shown spaced corrugations or beads 9 on the wall3l for resting on the lower wall 25. The sheet ormaterial of the section B continues upwardly and forwardly from the bottom wall 3| to have a front wall 33. The material of the section B is flexible and resilient and the front wall 33 is curved 'or shaped to readily flex or bend when the closure or door for the receptacle 23 is opened. 1

The tray portion 24 for temporarily receiving the ashes, cigar butts, etc. is defined at its sides by the vupper portions of the walls 26 and its rear by the back wall 29. A normally horizontal part 34 extends rearwardly from the front wall 33, being integrally joined therewith at a rather large radius curve or bend. This part 34 is in the nature of a shelf or rest for carrying lighted cigars and cigarettes and may have spaced channels 35 for receiving such objects. I channels 35 also serve to stiffen the part 34. A wall 36 which is pitched downwardly and toward the back extends rearwardly from the shelf part 34 and forms thebottom of the tray 24. The shelf part 34 and the wall 36 further serve to close the upper end of the well or receptacle 23. In this connection it is to be understood that the end edges of the back wall 29, lower wall 3i, front wall 33, shelf part 34 and wall 36 closely engage or contact the inner surfaces of the walls 26 so that the well or receptacle is sealed and substantially airtight. The configuration and inherent' resiliency of the section B are such that the-rear edge of the tray wall 36 bears against the back wall 29. It may be preferred to' provide a slight forward joggle or offset 37 in the back wall 29 to be engaged by a bead or edge bend on the wall 36, the parts being so related that the edge of the wall 36 yieldingly bears upwardly against the offset.

It is preferred to incorporate means for retaining the sections A and B in the assembled relationship. This means may consist of ;a simple rod 38 engaged in aligned openings in the side walls 26 of the section A to pass through the receptacle 23 at the inside of the bend 32. The ends of the rod 38 are upset or headed up at the external surfaces of the side walls 26. The rod 33 engaging in the bend 32 prevents upward and forward displacement of the section B with respect to the section A, while the flanges 28 prevent rearward displacement; and the beads 9 resting on the bottom wall prevent downward displacement. The rod 38, in addition to retaining the section B in the section A, {assists in tying the side walls 26 together and thus "resists spreading of the U-shaped section A.'

In employing the device of Figs. land 5 the exposed tray '24 may be utilized to receive cigar and cigarette ashes, pipe ashes and cigarette butts, and lighted cigars and cigarettes may be placed in the channels 3| and 35 to have their lighted ends above the tray. When it is desired to empty the ashes into the receptacle 23 or to deposit lighted cigar or cigarette butts, the shelf part 34 is pressed downwardly with the fingers. When this is done the front wall 33 and adjacent parts of the section B flex and the tray wall 36 moves downwardly and forwardly leaving an ample opening into the receptacle. The inclination of the wall 36 is such that material deposited in the tray 24 immediately falls into the receptacle 23. Upon removing the pressure from the shelf part 34 the tray wall 36 springs back into engagement with the offset 31 to again The allow cigar and cigarette butts to be crushed out I against the wall 36, but is sufficiently flexible to permit easy opening of the receptacle 23 as just described. In'emptying the device it is simply inverted and the closure or wall 36 is opened to permit the contents of the receptacle to spill out.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate still another form of the invention which resembles the device of Figs. 4 and 5 but which differs therefrom in that it is constructed entirely of a single integral and continuous piece of sheet metal or other flexible resilient non-inflammable material. In this construction the above-described section A is dispensed with; however the back wall 29, bottom wall 3!, front wall 33, shelf part 34 and tray wall 36 are substantially the same as in Figs. 4 and 5. Accordingly corresponding reference numerals are applied to the corresponding parts of the devices shown in Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive. The device of Figs. 6 and '7 has two side walls 40 formed integral with'the bottom wall 3| to extend upwardly from the opposite extremities thereof. The walls 40 are vertical to present flat parallel inner surfaces which cooperate with the edges of thewalls 29, 3!, 33, 34 and 36 to seal off or close the receptacle 23. The device of Figs. 6 and 7 operates in the same manner as that of Figs. 4 and 5, the receptacle 23 being normally closed and being readily opened by merely applying a downward force on the shelf part 34 to move the wall 36 downwardly away from the back wall 29.

The devices of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are adapted to be removably installed in public establishments such as restaurants, taverns, railway cars, waiting rooms and the like. In Fig. 6 I have illustrated one manner of installing the device in such situations. The flange 36 is omitted from the back wall 29 so that the wall may be engaged against a vertical support S. Openings 4| are provided in the wall 29 to receive screws 42 for securing the device to the support. The openings 41 may be so shaped that the device may be easily disengaged from the screws when it is to be emptied and cleaned.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided practical and extremely inexpensive ash trays embodying sealed or closed wells for cigar and cigarette butts, pipe ashes and other glowing or burning material. The devices may be readily fabricated from sheet stock with relatively simple dies. If desired, they may be produced at such low cost that it is commercially practical to employ them as advertising media, in which event the visible surfaces or walls may carry printing, symbols, etc., pressed or otherwise formed thereon.

Having described only typical preferred embodiments of the invention, I do not wish to be understood as restricted to the specific details set forth but reserve to myself any features or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A device of the character. described comprising a receptacle having spaced end walls, and outwardly bowed side walls, the side walls being flexible and resilient, and closures extending inwardly toward one another from the upper ends of the side walls, to normally engage one with the other to close the upper end of the receptacle, and then extending outwardly, the upper portionseor; said 1 end- ,-;walls and thaxoutwardlyex i t din p rti ns. of: the.,closureslf rmins a ,trasgfor temporarily receiving material the cl,osures being movable away fromoneanothento admit 7 material into the receptacle ,upon, the application-of sufiicientdownward pressure to the clo: sures-to; flex; said side wa1ls, ;the resiliency of said side wallsrestoring the closures to they closed. positions when said pressure is relieved.

2. ,;An ash tray and ':,container, comprising a pair of. spaced ,endwallsppresenting parallel; opposing; surfaces and a pair-,of spaced opposed sidewalls: extending between; said surfaces, the, side; wa1ls ,.-being ,flexible and-resilient and being moyable ,with respectgto the end walls when sub jecteds xuressaidend and side Walls defining a lower;receptacle, and closuresintegral withand extending inwardly; toward one another ;,fro m the upper ends fg.5 1 d;,Side walls to engage one with; thepther: to; close, the upper end of, the rev pt ol the closu es i lu in u n d. apro s said aprons and .the upper po r tions;of the endwalls defining. a travf rx a es andt e l {Said sidewalls being yieldable-upon therapplication,

ofapressure-tothe apronsto move the closures toppen positionswhere said, material may enter, the, recep l s p 3. 1An ash- .tray and, container comprising a bottom wall, end walls rising from the bottom wall,; an d side walls rising from the bottom wall and extending between the innensurfaces of the end walls, said end and side walls being integral 7 with;the b0ttomwall, the side wallsbeing bowed outwardly, and beingaflexible and resilient, i the; bottom, end and side walls defining a receptacle,- closures ,;integral. with and-extending upwardly a d; wa d y r e s de-Walls to coopera e d close the upperend of thereeeptacle and aprons onwthe closures;;extending,upwardly and outw rd yh r froma ro s nd :the: pper, portions of the end walls defining 1a trayfor ashesand like material, the closures being mov- 1 able to open positions toadmit such material to thereceptacleupon the application-of downward pressure-to, the apronslsufiicient tov flex, the, side; walls;

4. ;A receptacle pithe charactendesoribed co1n prising a normally closed lower,compartment and an, open 2 tray located over i said, compartment, ,0 said receptacle having parallel, planar; end walls, common to both the closed compartment and the tray and a tubular body which is located between, and which has its ends closed vlatnsaidendwalls, the walls of said body curving upwardly and in-, wardly from a bottom wall, abutting above the bottom wall, and then being reverselybent extend upwardly and outwardlyinopposite .directions to form the bottom and sides of said, tray, said body being resilient and beingattached to said end walls only in theregionof said bot; tom wall, whereby upon the application of,.pressure to the sides of saidptray the .abutting walls of said body separate to provide an entrance, through which material may be introducedinto said compartment andwhereby upon the release; of 'such pressure said abutting walls willauto matically assume theirnormal abutting relation to close said compartment.

RICHARD, NICKERSQN,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the, file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS I Number Name Date v 245,912 Young Aug, 16, 18 8 1 682,524 Bonnemaison Sept. 10,1901 820,067 Richardson May 8,1906; 908,070 Carr Dec. 29','1908;

1,803,239 Deane Apr. 28,":1031'";

1,893,704 Hyatt Jan. 10,1933 1 2,021,723 Grunwald Nov, 19, 1935] 2,291,753' Patten Aug. 4,19421 2,490,482 Shackell- Dec. 6,l949

FOREIGN- PATENTS Number Country Date 151,659 Germany May-18, 190-? 469,506 Great Britain July 27-, 1937? 839,834 France Jan.-7,- 1939 

